For MEN, protect your eyes!


Today I was doing my reading plan as I read through the Bible one of the verses from today hit me hard. This post is primarily for men but I do think it applies to women too. Stop and read Proverbs 6. Verses 20-35 are ones that we as men must heed with great weight. I have seen so many pastors, friends, and followers of Jesus get trapped by adultery. It is a tactic that our enemy uses with great success and part of it really has to do with the "worldview" of sex and relationships. It's easy to see the beer commercials on tv not to mention Victoria Secret and laugh about it or play it off when in fact they lead our minds to dark places.

Men we often simplify lust as "I'm just a man and can't help it!" or "God made me this way." When this is the opposite of what God teaches us. I find it interesting how much Solomon(the wisest man to ever live) would have to say about lusting after women when that would become one of his greatest struggles. Solomon would disobey God by marrying foreign women with foreign gods. Ultimately it would cause Solomon to betray God by making altars to foreign gods. But his words in chapter 6, ordained by God are truth for us men and we must hear them.

We have to protect our eyes, in fact this is the job of the eyelid to protect the eye from things that would harm it...Right?!?! That's what we have to do men protect our eyes and guard our heart lest the enemy enter with seeds of lust that take root and over come us. Practical advice: when you are in a situation where you find yourself tempted to look at something lustfully physically turn your head and leave the room. Turn it off, go in the opposite direction. Learn to "bounce" your eyes when you catch a glimpse of something you shouldn't bounce your eyes off of it quickly and then flee from it. One of the things I teach our Band of Brothers (men's ministry) is when you catch a glimpse of a beautiful woman immediately bounce your eyes off her body and to her eyes and say in your mind, "God made a beautiful creation when He made her." Then turn away. Don't allow your eyes to focus on things that would enter your mind and ultimately your heart and cause you to sin. Men, we have control over our bodies and functions. As men of God continue to pray for the strength to overcome impure thoughts and ask for strength to protect our eyes. I have 4 children and every night when I pray with them I ask God to protect their eyes and ears from anything that would harm them. This is the same prayer we need as men of God. Lastly, get accountability. Find another Jesus-follower, someone you can talk about this with and trust that will help you through it and pray with you. That's the beauty of having a Band of Brothers you can talk with about struggles and be armor bearers as we battle through life together!

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